Sorry for my long absence!!! I'm okay, I promise.

So, I've been tagged by Tobi Crawford, I thought I'd share the latest scoop by answering the questions, so here it goes...

Here are the rules:
1. Link to your tagger (see above), and also post these rules on your blog.
2. Share seven facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag seven (or as many as you can find who HAVEN'T done this) people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

OK, here are my 7 facts:

1. As I was trying to recover from mild pneumonia and severe allergies, I learned that I am PREGNANT! I'm 12 weeks along today. SURPRISE to all of us. So part of my excuse for the extended absence from blogging is that I'm SICK and tired.
   
2. I love to SING! I sing an acoustic worship service at my church every Sunday, it's just me and the worship leader and his guitar. I rotate on the full praise team (a full band with about 4 singers) every few months.
   
3. I left a career in banking this year (after 10 years) for a career in healthcare. I'm still working in Information Systems, so I'm sort of a computer geek, but not completely. I'm learning some cool programming this year that helps with creating complex reports.
   
4. I used to have a side business making funky pocketbooks. Just when I was at the brink of BIG success/profit, I gave it up.
   
5. Before my pneumonia/pregnancy sicknesses, I was working out at the gym about 5 days a week. Now I'm not working out at all. I am ready to be back to myself- this same thing happened with my first pregnancy and all I could do once the nausea finally went away was a pre-natal yoga video.
   
6. My dream career would be interior design. I just can't take a huge cut in pay to pursue it.
   
7. There is a Broadway musical coming to our city (which is a big deal for here) that is called "Ring of Fire: The Legend of Johnny Cash" and I REALLY want to get tickets to go see it in January.
   

So there you have it... 7 random things.. I tag these people:
Ivy
Julie

Pneumonia...

So for the last 2 weeks I've had uncontrolled coughing fits, and was told after week one that it's allergy-induced asthma. When another week went by with very little relief (and lots of meds) I decided to go back. It progressed into a mild pneumonia. :( I've never had it before but I can tell you that I'm exhausted and ready to get well. I'd like to be back to my old self again, not ready to crash in the bed every waking moment.

So, say a little prayer for me to get well. I'm hoping the antibiotics (just took the 2nd of 5 pills tonight) start to help soon. Maybe I can be back to stamping soon...

At a loss...

I'm at a loss... I bought a stamp set for Christmas cards this year, and am just not completely inspired by it yet. Yes, I've shown you a couple of cards with it, but it just hasn't "done it" for me yet, at least not enough to say "that's it!". And so, here I am in October, yet to have a stack of Christmas cards. I need some inspiration. Maybe the Christmas spirit hasn't hit me yet.

My husband is out of town this week, so I'm parenting our 2 yr old alone. I don't like it, and I have to give a lot of credit to single parents out there- I really don't know how you do it! I definitely love having my husband around to help!

We made a pretty autumn card at stamp camp last week, I thought I'd share it with you. I LOVE eggplant and olive together, and the kraft cardstock doesn't get used enough at my house. So when I saw this card, I LOVED it! It's really quite simple, but it works! I think the wheel is called Leaves Awash from Stampin' Up! Also used linen thread and a teeny oval tag. I haven't decided what to put on the tag yet.


Enjoy your week. If my daughter hasn't completely worn me out, maybe I'll be inspired and energized enough to stamp one night. Until then...

Perfect time for a challenge

Today I was asked to make a birthday card for a man who works with computers, so I decided to use the color combo challenge on SCS to try to make the card. I love the end result, although I was afraid of the color combo- bashful blue, old olive and more mustard. I watercolored the computer with the cake stamped inside (stamps from Computer Quips) using my Watercolor Wonder Crayons. I tried to make the screen have a grid like look, similar to the background, which was done with the Rough Texture wheel and DTP technique.
I distressed the edges of the blue, olive textured, and watercolor paper, and lifted them up with some pop-up glue dots for a little more dimension. Ribbon was from SU, it is now retired. Sentiment from Warmest Regards.


My Christmas card tonight is done with Old Olive textured, rounded the corners. The scalloped oval is a Daisy D's die cut. I added some SU ribbon and cut out the tree from Wondrous Gift, which was embossed in winter white on patterned paper, then used Crystal Stickles and a button for the top. The button was inspired by Julia at Belle Papier.

See you soon...

yes, I'm still alive...

I've been exhausted in the evenings all week, and last weekend was packed full of family fun. My daughter (2 1/2), rode a pony twice for the first time at our annual church festival last Sunday. This was a major feat for her- a girl who has had NIGHTMARES about horses being in the house (?) and many a night was scared to go to bed! I didn't get a picture, but she had this cute little grin on her face while riding, and her daddy and I stood back while the owner of the "pony" (actually a miniature horse) guided her. It was so cool to watch her do it! We encouraged her while she waited in line, reminding her that princesses ride on ponies! That night, I pulled a brand new Barbie nightgown (her first nightgown) out that was very princess-y and had Barbie wearing a crown with Pegasus, which we told her was a princess and her pony.

Anyways, my new job has kept me busy along with family life and trying to stay in shape, so I didn't feel up to much of anything this week at night. Tonight I decided to share a couple of cards, however. The one up top is for Beate's sketch this week, WSC20. I really had a tough time with it, don't know if I'm just tired, or what. But I've been wanting to use this designer paper from My Mind's Eye, called Friend's Paisley, it's part of the C'est La Vie collection. The red you see is the reverse side. I paired it up last week with Old Olive textured paper, thought it was perfect! Then tonight I pulled together the Not Quite Navy textured, some chipboard from SU's Ginormous Pieces (inked up in Olive and Celery) and dotted with a glaze pen. Oh, and I used a little Saffron paper to mat the paisley paper. Lastly, I used just a small piece of ribbon from SU that is so cute. There's no sentiment right now. I may or may not add one depending on what I decide to use this card for.

Next is this Christmas card. I need to do my cards, Christmas will be here before we know it. I used a Fabriano Mediovalis card, heat embossed the tree from Wondrous Gift in Winter White, inked with a sponge some Olive ink, cut out the star using the star stamp as my outline. I used Frosted Lace Stickles on the tree and star, which you can see up close here:

I only have a few cards done for Christmas this year, so I need to get on the ball. I'm waiting for my new set from the SU Holiday Mini before I kick it into full gear. Until next time, happy stamping!

My newest designs in glass tag jewelry...

I finally came up with a design that I'm IN LOVE with for these glass tags, purchased from Stampington & Company and now the colors (or lack of color) that I need in the glass tags are not available any more. :( But I will be seeking help in getting more of the CLEAR and pale colored glass tags and circles. I've enjoyed the ones I have had and creating with them is loads of fun. (See my red one in a recent Christmas ornament card post.) If you have any and would like to share them with me, please contact me. The first one (above) I used Autumn Leaf Prints, thought this would be the perfect fall addition to my wardrobe. It's fairly large in size, about 1.5" by 3", and was a very pale peach color when I started working with it, as you can see if you look at the bottom right or top left corners.

Above is 3 bare trees from Lovely as a Tree. I love the abstract look of this, it's exactly what I was going for. I had been pondering on this theme of designs for a few weeks or so. I'm not willing to share exactly how I made them at this point. But I would love your feedback! Below are two that I did with the oak leaves from the same stamp set. The green one is actually a small pale green glass circle tag that had a light shimmer to it. The other one, slightly larger in size, was clear glass when I started with it (as was the one with the trees).

Thanks for looking and for sharing your constructive feedback about my work.

I've been hard at work at my new job, which I'm loving so much! Every day is just getting better and better. I'm more relaxed in the morning, which allows my daughter time to get ready at her pace and not have to battle as much to get out the door. Praise the Lord!

...More VSN Day 2

The challenge here was to use the same stamp for the background as the main image. Though very subtle, I did using the bold flower from Petal Prints.

On the Mustard cardstock, I stamped the flower with Mustard ink, also stamped the Weathered stamp in Cocoa and used the DTP and distressing techniques on the edges.

This fantastic sentiment is from Verses. I love it, it can be used for so many purposes. I often send out cards to let people know I'm praying for them, so this stamp is great for that. It is stamped on vanilla cardstock with a chocolate chip layered behind, both pieces distressed. I also added some speckles with Itty Bitty Backgrounds.

For the main flower I used Colorbox Petal Points Chalk Pads in Earth tones. It was stamped on vanilla and cut out, petals are curled out a tad bit, and stuck on with a Pop Up Glue Dot for dimension.

Sept '07 VSN- Day 2!

I was able to do a couple of challenges earlier today before taking my daughter to her friend's birthday party. The first challenge is a texture challenge, to use as many as possible. Bear with me, as some of my textures must be seen with the eyes and not felt with the hands, whereas others are touchy-feely!

I started by embossing a Karen Foster adhesive backed metal sheet (in gold). I distressed the edges of all of my cardstock, a great and easy way to add texture to a card! I also added moss green velvet ribbon from SU. The deep olive green slide mount is also slightly textured, and the fact that it is raised is (to me) another texture. The watercolor paper is also textured.

I used the stamp set Autumn Leaf Prints and rolled the leaves in different Earth Elements inks to signify the changing of seasons. I spritzed with water to slightly bleed the ink, then once mostly dry, spritzed some brown ink for effect. For the sentiment and teeny leaves, I used Refuge & Strength. I actually LOVE this card, it's very different, and I don't normally love flashy stuff, but the idea of so many textures really is what makes it so great to me.

This next card was an easy one for me, the challenge was to do a card for a baby or expectant mom. I have so many friends who are expecting right now, that the issue for me is not WHAT to make, but WHICH friend will be the recipient?

Starting with my "Side Saddle" designer paper, I selected red and Cool Caribbean papers to brighten it up! The scalloped rectangle and tag are from old die cut Petal Cards from Stampin' Up! I watercolored the girl with my Watercolor Crayons. I used Pop-Up Glue Dots to make her and the tag "pop."

I'm hoping to do more challenges tonight. Ta Ta for now!

September '07 VSN Weekend! Day 1...

So I decided to play tonight, despite a horrible migraine which is making my eyes water. Here is my first project, I made the 2-4-6-8 box (well, really I did a variation called 2-5-7-10, LOL).

Paper: Textured Pumpkin Pie, Designer paper is "Prairie Dot" by Flair Designs, Choc Chip and white.
Stamps: Carved & Candlelit, All Year Cheer
Ink: Old Olive, Choc Chip, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Ribbon













For the next project, I decided to RAK a lady named Tracey, who has lost her husband in Afghanistan. This card is made with the following:

Paper: Perfect Plum, designer paper by Anna Griffin
Stamps: Sentiment from Wordsworth, inside (matching font) reads "My Thoughts Are With You", Mixed Bouquet
Ink: Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Ribbon, Crystal Brad in pale plum.

The colors match much better in person, I couldn't get the lighting right.

Challenge time!

This card was made for Beate's sketch challenge WSC18. I like the sketch, although it was a bit challenging for me. I needed a birthday card, and just happened to have a chipboard B leftover from last night's monogram Christmas ornament (see yesterday's post). So that's how it all began.

Here's what I used:
Stamps: Studio G birthday set from Michael's $1 Clear stamp sets.
Paper: Crate Paper's Cowgirl Collection in "Side Saddle" for main card and reversed for matte; Karen Foster's Burlap; "Bright Floral" by My Mind's Eye (B); shimmer white from SU.
Accessories: SU ribbon, crystal brads in blue, Heidi Grace adhesive leather nameplate, chipboard.
Ink: Ruby Red, StazOn in Timber Brown.

I also participated in the Limited Supplies Challenge for today on Splitcoaststampers. I ended up doing a no layers card for this sympathy card.

Here's what I used:
Stamps: Art of Life, Canvas, scripture sentiment by Wordsworth
Paper: Bordering Blue from SU.
Accessories: none!
Ink: Going Gray, Basic Black

Lastly, I did the challenge to do a card with pocket(s) in some form or fashion. I decided to do another birthday card with a bookmark inside.

Here's what I used:
Stamps: Studio G stamps from Michael's $1 Clear Stamp Set bin; Warmest Regards from SU.
Paper: Rose Red, Kaleidescope designer paper, textured Not Quite Navy.
Accessories: sewing machine, Prima's, Stickles (Frosted Lace), snap eyelet, SU ribbon.
Ink: Not Quite Navy.

I'm planning on hanging out on Splitcoaststampers some this weekend for VSN (virtual stamp night) for many more challenges, so keep your peepers peeled! And if you have time, join in the fun!

Christmas Ideas

As Christmas quietly sneaks up on us, I occasionally think about what to make this year. I haven't done much yet (at all). But for yesterday's sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers, which I got around to making tonight, the inevitable is upon me. I need to make some things before the realization of the Holiday season is here. Not that I won't make other things, but it's time to buckle down and get crackin' on this holiday preparation!

Last weekend I purchased some papers at my local scrapbook store, this one is called "Bright Floral" from the Tres Jolie collection by My Mind's Eye. Tonight I thought it was perfect for a Christmas card, even though I didn't necessarily purchase it with that in mind. It's a textured cardstock and it's really beautiful. I added even more texture with the Cuttlebug embossing folder called "Textile" and added a little cocoa ink to bring out that texture a bit. The green ribbon, which I also LOVE, is from Stampin' Up! It has some stretch to it and is so cute and actually is quite thick. I wish it could be purchased individually- I think I'd buy a lot of it.

The glass tag will serve as an ornament once the recipient pulls it off the card (which I will kindly leave instructions inside the card). I purchased the plain red glass tag from Stampington & Company and have made many things with these FANTASTIC glass tags. If you look at the picture of me, my necklace pendant is one of them designed with wire and a crystal. For this ornament on the card, I stamped a snowflake in white StazOn and then embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder. It really sparkles! For more ideas on what I have done with these glass tags, you can always click on the link and browse my Splitcoaststampers gallery anytime.

One more note of interest on this card is the Merry Christmas. It is hard to see without the close-up shot that I stamped the words twice. Once with black ink, second with gold Pearl Ex stamp pad, it really added a simple classy look to the card and carried some additional sparkle across the card from the ornament down. See my picture below:


I decided to try something new tonight that popped in my head a week or two ago. I have so much chipboard around here, I thought I could put it to good use for Christmas time. I had this scalloped square from Stampin' Up's Ginormous Pieces, So I took the same designer paper from above and cut it slightly larger than the square. I used ModPodge to glue it on. I took my Sizzix and, turned on the diagonal, punched out the letter B (Fun Serif font), and then took a craft knife and cut the paper close to the scallop edge. I sanded the edges of the scallop to clean up my cut marks. I punched a hole in the top corner with my Fiskar's hand held 1/8" punch. I took some shimmer white paper and used the same embossing folder as above to emboss it. I cut slightly larger than my square. I mounted the chipboard back to it, including the middle dots of the B. Added some taffeta ribbon, a Prima and an adhesive crystal. Voila, easy monogram Christmas ornament! The pictures are okay tonight, but I think these projects are really pretty in person!

I hope you enjoyed these projects, I'm hoping to have more to share very soon! A chapter in my life has ended today, as I left one full time job and I'm preparing to begin a new one on Monday, much closer to home and just a better situation all around. And so I reflect on a scripture that I specifically remember focusing on back in November from 2 Corinthians: "8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." God has really blessed me. Thanks for visiting my blog today.

This was created for Beate's sketch challenge, WSC17.
I just got this new paisley paper by My Mind's Eye at my local scrapbook store today. I paired it up with Buckaroo Blue, Creamy Caramel, and a Daisy D's "Attic Flower" with a button in the center. The sentiment came from SU's Love Matters set. I also used Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Hardware, hemp twine, distressing tool and a sponge.

Autumn around the corner...

September will be upon us tomorrow! My favorite time of the year is fall. Leaves changing colors, cooler and less humid temperatures... and breaking out the warmer clothes, which partly inspired this first card.

On Splitcoaststampers today there was a challenge for autumn. This "tent card" is for Challenge 3. I did Houndstooth print on Elegant Eggplant, like a warm sweater! Stamped Autumn Leaf Prints in various shades of Earth Elements colors plus Eggplant, on watercolor paper, spritzed with water for a slight bleed of ink, then used my air tool to spray some chocolate chip speckles. Sewed the Really Rust textured cardstock on my machine. The word blessings is from Wordsworth. Ribbon and hardware are from SU.

I combined challenges 1 and 2 in this next card. Create a scene with 3 or more stamps, and use an animal not normally intended for autumn/halloween themes.


On Pumpkin Pie cardstock, I layered a strip of "Prairie Dot" paper by Flair Designs, and a Prima with a green crystal brad in the center. For the scene, I used Monkey Business, Carved & Candlelit, and Spring Garden (grass). I used a sponge dauber and a torn sponge for the sky in Buckaroo Blue and Bashful Blue, and the other colors used were Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Chocolate Chip. I masked the pumpkin to get the monkey behind it.

Thanks for looking, see you again later!

Hello friends!

I made this card for today's sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I used Happy Harmony in real red, chocolate chip and mellow moss ink colors for the flowers behind a slide mount that is a metallic aged gold color. The create joy stamp is from Wordsworth. I used the following papers: SU More Mustard, Whisper White and Real Red, Daisy D's and Kaleidoscope designer papers. Both ribbons from SU, ladybug came from a friend, and I distressed it with my SU distressing tool, a sponge with Chocolate Chip ink and DTP Technique.

I'm really excited to have a long weekend coming up. We're going to host a cookout on Labor Day so I'm hoping for great weather! This summer has been incredibly hot and humid here and not much rain at all. I'd love to hear what others are planning for the Labor Day weekend!

I'm still here!

Hello friends, yes, I'm still alive. I had a huge response to my ebay listings that closed last week, so I've spent the week shipping stuff to people. Another thing you may not know about me is that I commute an hour each way to work and have a young child, so my evenings are limited. BUT, I've just this past week accepted a position here in my very own city, so I'm getting 2 hrs of each day of my life back very soon. Only 8 more "driving" days! Woo Hoo! I start my new job on Sept 10th and am so excited! I made this card for someone in my family. I got some really great birthday gifts this past weekend while visiting family out of town... So I'm going to be making some thank you cards this week.

This one is made with SU Buckaroo Blue, retired Designer Series (Spring Showers) paper, Kaleidescope paper, new SU ribbons and the Happy Harmony stamp set. Very simple for my limited time.

Yippie-Cow-Yay!

Happy Sunday! Tomorrow is my birthday!

Tonight I participated in the "Featured Stamper" Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. Melissa had a great card here for another challenge, so I chose that card to CASE with modifications. Cow was from "Happy Cows" by Missy B Designs. Yippie is from Wordsworth. I used some retired DS paper from Stampin' Up, and embossing folder from Cuttlebug, oval punches from SU, gold brads, and brown grosgrain ribbon.

And now my needs according to Google- searched "Kelly needs" and here's the top 10 (my comments are in parentheses):

1. Kelly needs a quivering antenna. (Cable seems to work just fine for my TV.)
2. Kelly needs to go to court. (It was all a setup- I promise I didn’t do it!)
3. Kelly needs a little guidance. (Well, maybe.)
4. Kelly needs to know what she did wrong. (Exactly how I felt at work the other day! What did I do wrong? As it turns out, nothing. Thank goodness!)
5. Kelly needs to go! (Where? Will someone just tell me where? It’s like trying to decide on a place for dinner!)
6. Kelly needs to stop! (Yes, until we decide where I’m going.)
7. Kelly needs a new job. (Exactly!)
8. Kelly needs to be part of a loving, committed marriage. (Um, honey, is there something I need to know?)
9. Kelly needs modesty. (I’ll have to disagree on this one, but I do find it funny!)
10. Kelly needs to lose weight. (Maybe just some re-direction? LOL)

Lots to Talk About!

First let me share that I did this card for WT126 on Splitcoaststampers. It's the Ways to Use It Challenge, to use the distressing tool. All Supplies this time are Stampin' Up! Stamps used: Artfully Asian and Warmest Regard. Cardstock: Cocoa (textured), Artichoke, Eggplant, and Caramel.

Next, I want to share with you the winner of my challenge, Cheryl (cakvd). I will be contacting her about sending her package! Check out her blog here if you get a chance: Engineered Expressions.

Lots of people are looking behind some of my cards (see some of my older posts) and commenting on my ribbon jars. Here is a picture of them:

I have some other ribbon storage for large spools, but here's where most of my ribbon is stored, on a shelf directly over my work space. Patterned ribbons are in the middle jar. Then as you can see I have split all solid colors into 2 color families for the other jars. By the way, these are called "Cracker Jars" and I purchased them at Target within the last year or so, in the kitchen supply area. They're a pretty good size and so fun to look at!

I have been adding lots of stamping stuff to eBay which is why I'm now playing catch-up on my blog. So head on over here and see what I've got for sale. I'll be adding more over the weekend, I have about a dozen more full stamp sets left to list.

I'll post again with some more cool info this weekend. Thanks for stopping by!

Blue Bayou Color Combo Challenge

I took the color challenge on today (see Splitcoaststampers). I used Touch of Nature by Stampin' Up! along with Flourishes by Autumn Leaves and the sentiment is from Wordsworth. I didn't have the new Blue Bayou color so I substituted Teal. Craft white ink for the flourishes, Sahara Sand ink on Sahara Sand cardstock. Watercolor paper for the flowers, which I curled outward for effect, I simply watercolored Teal ink. Accented the card with Star Dust Stickles and Crystal brads.

Please don't forget my challenge, 2 more days to submit your entry. See Saturday's post for details!

I completed some challenges, and a challenge reminder for YOU!

Hello to all! Don't forget my giveaway challenge, see Saturday's post, you have until Thursday to complete the challenge and report back to me!

I worked on a couple of challenges yesterday and wanted to share. This first card is Beate's weekend sketch challenge, I have a slight variation on it, but it mostly fits the sketch. My photography skills cause the color of the watercolor area to look off, but in real life it matches.

I used Serene Sunflower from Stampin' Up! with Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, and the cute diagonal stripes from Kaleidoscope. I pierced around the card with a paper piercer, The rectangles are all sewn on with my sewing machine, wavy stitching was intentional. I did the sunflowers in Rose Red, Regal Rose, and True Thyme on some Fabriano Medioevalis watercolor paper and spritzed with water. The little flowers were punched with my SU! Spring Flower Bouquet punch and added a yellow crystal brad in the center. Celebrate is from Fancy Flexible Phrases. I moved the flower circle up just enough to add that in, hence my skewing from the original sketch a teeny bit.

The next card I did was an inspiration challenge on Splitcoaststampers. The inspiration was a rug from LL Bean (see the thumbnail on the left for the rug I chose). I used flowers from Looks Like Spring and Sheltering Tree, and the leaf sprig from Refuge & Strength. I chose the colors Buckaroo Blue and Bordering Blue, and used white craft and Colorbox Chalk Pads for stamping colors. I added a silver organdy ribbon and a simple Hodgepodge Hardware frame to display a simple Thank You.

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend, and I look forward to you sharing your work for my giveaway challenge!

Finally! Internet is back at home! And my first GIVEAWAY!

Our internet service provider failed us and a LOT of other customers this week. THREE nights without service! I was really suffering withdrawals! I was so upset about the loss of connectivity, that I even lost some inspiration to stamp! BUT...

I was able to do a few cards. This first one took time to inspire me. I worked at it one night, then put it down, then went back and toiled over it again... here is the end result:

Old Olive paper paired up with this great paper from BoBunny. Tied a knot with this white grosgrain ribbon (5/8"), I used Fresh Fruit from Stampin' Up!, one of my all time favorite sets. I used the pineapple as the pattern in the background. I used the apple with Versamark and Stampin' Up! pastels. I also added a few Stickles to the shine of the apple. I punched a square on another BoBunny paper for the tag and threaded double linen thread tied around the ribbon. The "blessings to you" stamp is a cute little stamp from Wordsworth, also a favorite of mine! After all the time finally coming up with this card, I'm fairly pleased.

This next card was inspired by Friday's Limited Supplies Challenge to make a summer card. I pulled out my Nature Prints and Cheesecloth sets from Stampin' Up! Also used an ocean themed sentiment from Verses. I used Cool Caribbean cardstock, Craft White ink, Olive, Caramel, and Moss classic inks, and Colorbox Petal Point Chalk Pad Lime green color (turtle). I sponged some of the ink, and used my Color Spritzer, too. To polish it off, I used Crystal Effects on the turtle. A great card with NO layers and no extra embellishments.

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY: In the first card I told you that I used one of my all-time favorite stamp sets! Show me your all-time favorite stamp set, dust it off and create something special! Use some current stuff with it if you like, just show me what you've got! All I ask is that you don't show me something you've already made prior to reading my post.

Just add it to your gallery or blog, then leave me a comment on this post to tell me where I can see it! I will choose at random one participant to win. The prize includes alterables! Tim Holtz Metal Disks, Adhesive Backed Library Pockets, Acrylic Tags from Krystal Kraft, and Chipboard Flowers from Stampin' Up! Also throwing in some blue, purple and pink Primas! So, hurry up, what are you waiting for? Get to stamping!

Thought for Today:

I have no new projects to share tonight, but I read this quote today and thought I'd share:

“Try, try, try, and keep on trying is the rule that must be followed to become an expert in anything."

W. Clement Stone

I found this to be interesting and so true, including with art. This man seemed to live a very interesting life, if you'd like to read more, go here. I'm tired tonight, so I'll leave you with that.

Simple, No Layers Cards

I have a really hard time with cards like this. Not that they're hard to do, but I'm one of those who wants to keep adding more.

So I put off Julie's DTGD challenge off for a while. But I've revisited the challenge. And here is my result. Simple, cute, yet very special.

I wanted to show you close up to see the adhesive crystals in the center of the flowers. And the elegant Fabriano Medioevalis card, which I purchased from StarlitStudio. I used black craft ink for the stems and sentiment, which made it a little bolder.

Simple designs can make such a bold statement sometimes, if done right. So that is the end result of my simple, no layers card.

Shhh! Don't tell Jennifer!

Jennifer is such a great friend to have. She loves to come over after our girls are asleep and hang out in my craft room to talk and scrap, we have each other's families over for dinner on lots of random nights, and she's always willing to help me out when I'm in need! Well, on those dinner nights, she never minds being a guinea pig! And many times, she's asking me for recipes! So I've decided to give her a VERY belated birthday gift. I'm making this recipe binder for her and am planning to fill a bunch of recipes in it that I know she loves (and has been asking for). So don't tell Jennifer ;) if you see her. This is not complete yet, but here's the basic idea of it.

I used papers and Voila from Stampin' Up!, Flourishes stamps from Autumn Leaves using white StazOn, Primas (which I Mod Podged on the tops for stabilization), ribbon, brads, large eyelets, binder clips and a Boho Chic metal frame from Making Memories. The outside cover was used by sticking the papers to both sides of a thin chipboard cut to 7.5x7" and then Mod Podge all over. I trimmed Stampin' Up! 6x6" page protectors and made new holes to lessen the width. Tabs made with the Round Tab punch by SU! Threw in a library pocket and figured she could use that to keep grocery list or whatever inside.
Here is a peek inside:

Soooo, remember, if you see her, DON'T TELL! ;) I don't want her to know yet.

My FIRST Post!

Let me tell you- I am SO excited to start a blog, I don't really know where to begin. I've been contemplating this for quite some time. Well after much thought, here it is! Mission completion! (Any Little Einsteins moms out there?) I thought I'd add my newest creation to start...

Did you dare to get dirty? I had a blast last week during Splitcoaststampers DTGD challenge week! I had a few Dirty Dozen challenges outstanding that I wanted to complete- I was already dreary eyed at work as it was, so staying up even later was out of the question.

This tag card was Yvette's challenge. I haven't ever made a tag card before, so this is a first for me. I pulled out Heartfelt Thanks for this challenge, and used papers from BoBunny and Daisy D's, which I thought coordinated really well, even though the papers are SO different. I also used Stampin' Up!'s Chocolate Chip, Cranberry Crisp, and True Thyme colors. My absolute favorite techniques include distressing and aging with DTP and sponging inks. The triangular brown piece is a "Boho Chic" metal accessory from Making Memories. I left the center blank so I can leave a personal note to the recipient of this thank you card.